AAAS 554: Contemporary Health Issues in Africa (3)

The course examines health and nutrition in African communities, using the methods of biological and medical anthropology. Fundamental to the approach taken in the course is the understanding that the health of human groups depends on interactions between biological and cultural phenomena in a particular ecological context. One topic will be selected per semester to examine in detail the full array of epidemiological factors contributing to patterns of specific diseases. AIDS, childhood diseases, and reproductive health of African women are among possible topics. Course material will be selected from scholarly and medical publications, as well as coverage in the popular media. The use of a variety of sources will enhance understanding of the biological and cultural issues involved, and will help students identify possible bias and misinformation in popular coverage of events such as famine or epidemic in African settings. (Same as ANTH 545.) Prerequisite: An introductory course in either Anthropology or African Studies. LECView current sections...